Hepatitis A - Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment

Introduction:

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) is the cause of Hepatitis A, mostly found in contaminated water, food, unsanitized toilets, and unhygienic areas. This virus is highly contagious. Preventive measures and protocols have to be followed to prevent the disease spread.

What Is Hepatitis A?

Hepatitis A is the inflammation of the liver, highly contagious caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (HAV). It is a vaccine-preventable disease. Unlike Hepatitis B and C, Hepatitis A does not cause chronic liver conditions, but it may undermine symptoms and can lead to acute liver failure.

The common spread of the virus is when an unvaccinated healthy person intakes contaminated food or water or come in contact with the feces of an infected person. Along with this, the infection is also associated with a lack of sanitization, lack of personal hygiene, and oral-anal sex. Hepatitis A occurs at regular intervals and in epidemics worldwide.

What Are the Symptoms?

Symptoms mostly appear within 14 -28 days after coming in contact with the virus. Sometimes the people with the symptoms get better without any treatment. Adults have more signs and symptoms than children.

The most common symptoms are:

• Low-grade fever.

• Dark urine.

• Gray or dark-colored stools.

• Tiredness and fatigue.

• Joint pains.

• Jaundice.

• Nausea and vomiting.

• Upset stomach and pain.

Who Is at High Risk of Getting the Infection?

In high endemic countries, infections of Hepatitis A occur at a very early age. Mostly the age group below six years is asymptomatic but is highly capable of spreading the disease. People who are at high risk are:

• People who are not vaccinated with the vaccine.

• Coming in close contact with someone infected.

• Hemophilia (clotting disorder).

• Having unprotected sex with an infected person.

• Men having sex with men.

• Having recreational drugs, even the drugs which are not injected.

• Traveling to the countries where the virus spread is more common.

• Lack of safe water and poor sanitization.

• Having a family member who is already infected.

• HIV positive.

Ways in Which We Do Not Get Infected:

• Hugging an infected person.

• Coughed or sneezed on by the infected person.

• From the mother’s breast milk to babies.

How Is the Diagnosis of Hav (Hepatitis A Virus) Made?

• A physical examination.

• After the symptom check, a blood test is recommended.

• Check on high levels of liver enzymes in the blood.

• IgM (immunoglobulin M) Antibodies levels - mostly stay in the blood post-infection for three months.

• IgG (immunoglobulin G) Antibody levels - mostly stay in the blood post-infection for a lifetime.

• If you test positive for IgG but negative for IgM, then it indicates that you had a history of positive infection, but you had vaccinations to protect against it.

• Additional tests include RT-PCR (reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction).

What Is the Treatment for Hepatitis A?

• There is no specific line of treatment for the infection. Your health professional will treat you according to the symptoms - Supportive care until the symptoms subside, also keeping a clear check on liver function and being sure about your body's healing capacity.

• Doctors usually recommend a healthy nutritional diet, an increased intake of fluids, and rest.

• Have a check with your doctor before taking any over-the-counter medications, and supplements that could damage your liver. Alternate medications are provided accordingly.

• Avoid alcohol completely - the liver gets pressurized in infected conditions, and it becomes tough to handle both medication and alcohol at the same time. Consuming alcohol may lead to severe liver damage.

• Usually, the symptoms subside within a few weeks of good care; if the symptoms get worse additional care and hospitalization are required.

• Make sure you completely recover; if any of the symptoms last more than six months, follow-up with the doctor is required.

What Are the Complications of Hepatitis A?

• Hepatitis A does not lead to long-term liver damage or chronic liver issues.

• But complications occur in cases of the old age group and adults who are already having chronic liver issues, also leading to loss of liver function.

• Rarely, does hepatitis A lead to complications such as liver failure, 95 % of the time, it gets recovered.

How Can Hepatitis A Be Prevented?

• The best way to prevent Hepatitis A is to get vaccinated.

• The vaccine prevention is 95 % effective in adults for more than 20 years and 85 % in children for 15 to 20 years. To get more benefits from vaccines, more than one shot is needed.

• Maintaining sanitization.

• Avoid contaminated food and water.

• A habit of washing your hands for 15 to 20 minutes thoroughly, before and after eating food and preparing them, after using the toilet, and after changing diapers.

• Drink bottled water and avoid drinking local water in developing countries during travel where the risk of HAV is high.

• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption.

How to Prevent Spreading Hepatitis A to Others?

• If you are found positive for the infection, avoid coming in close contact with healthy people.

• Do not prepare or serve food for other people.

• Washing hands thoroughly with soap and water helps to maintain hygiene.

• Inform the details of infection to your health care provider, dentist, and other health care professionals.

• Inform blood donation camps about your history of hepatitis A before donating blood- If you were infected before 11 years of age, you are eligible to donate blood; in other conditions, refrain from donating.

What Is Hepatitis A Vaccine?

1. Hepatitis A vaccine is administered right from a child‘s immunization schedule.

2. Children need two doses of the immunization:

• First dose - 12 to 23 months of age.

• Second dose - 6 months later than the first dose.

1. Other older children and adolescents can be vaccinated by 12 to 18 years of age.

2. Adults can also get vaccinated who have not been vaccinated before.

3. If you are traveling to other developing countries where the virus spread is more common, vaccine administration before two weeks is mandatory to avoid infection.

What Are the Vaccination Reactions?

• Soreness and redness at the injection site.

• Loss of appetite, headache, and tiredness.

• Some people faint after medical procedures or vaccination. Do inform your medical provider if you feel dizzy, ringing in your ears, or vision changes.

Conclusion:

Hepatitis A is a serious liver disease that needs immediate attention and care. So it is necessary to follow all the protocols to control the spread to others. The vaccine is bliss, so getting vaccinated and maintaining hygiene can prevent this disease successfully. The best way to recover is to take a rest, drink plenty of fluids and take a healthy diet. It is more common in parts of Asia, Africa, central and south America, and Europe than in the United States. Talk with the health care provider about a healthy diet and avoid consuming alcohol which may lead to more complications.